The Context Machine

The Context Machine episodes:

• 04.13.2024

  Apple, Generative AI, and Licensing

  Apple licensed content from Shutterstock presumably for its own AI efforts, which gets Bryan and Jeff looking at the ethics behind the methods many AI companies use to source the data they rely on to train their own models. Surprisingly,...

  
• 03.23.2024

  DOJ Apple Antitrust Case, Apple’s Third Party AI Talks

  Bryan and Jeff get a little hot under the collar over the US DOJ antitrust case against Apple and they’re tense over reports that Apple is in talks with Google to use Gemini as part of its own generative AI...

  
• 03.16.2024

  Dune (Briefly), King Liam Update, and Apple’s Uber Ninja AI Moves

  Bryan and Jeff talk a little about Dune now that Dune: Part 2 is out, and look at the news that Apple acquired the AI company DarwinAI. They also chat about the status of Bryan’s short story, King Liam, a...

  
• 03.09.2024

  A Brief Goodbye to Bryan’s Apple Car, a Brief Introduction to D&D

  Bryan and Jeff pour one out for Apple’s Project Titan. And thanks to Bryan, Jeff is now playing in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, so they look at how playing the game remotely works. SPONSOR: HIMS – Hims is changing...

  
• 02.23.2024

  Apple Gets Jiggy with Quantum Protections, the Rise of Apple Vision Pro

  Bryan and Jeff explore Apple’s announcement that iMessage is about to get encryption technology designed to thwart quantum computers. They also rant about ethics in AI LLM training, and also look at how more people seem to be grokking what...

  
• 02.15.2024

  Hands-On with a Real Life Use-Case for Apple Vision Pro

  SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs – Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/ACM. Sources referenced in this episode: Review the show on Apple Podcasts Where to find us:

  
• 02.04.2024

  The Apple Vision Pro Ep: Hands-on!

  Apple’s brand new Vision Pro is finally in people’s hands and on Bryan’s face. Jeff and Bryan invited special guest Barry Fulk on so we can have two users share their face-on experiences and tell Jeff what he may or...

  
• 01.25.2024

  Rabbit R1’s Path to Being Bought, Apple vs. EU, and the Mac 40th Anniversary

  Bryan and Jeff discuss Rabbit’s R1 personal AI assistant device, and also share their thoughts on Apple’s press release about App Store changes to comply with the EU’s DMA requirements. It’s the Mac’s 40th anniversary, so they chat about the...

  
• 01.20.2024

  Bryan Buys Apple Vision Pro, His Nibs Binges Stargate SG-1

  Apple’s Vision Pro is available for pre-order, so Byran and Jeff take a look at the order process and dealing with prescription lenses. Bryan also gets to gloat because his will be delivered on release day. Jeff binged the first...

  
• 01.12.2024

  Apple’s Vision Pro Ship Date, Transparent TVs, FTC Astroturfing Hearing, Jeff’s Fountain Pen Affair

  Bryan and Jeff talk about Apple Vision Pro now that we know when it’ll ship. They also look at LG’s transparent television, plus the FTC’s plan to stop marketers from abusing product reviews. Bonus: Jeff has a new found love...

  
• 12.29.2023

  Amazon Prime Video + Ads, 6-Episode Seasons, 2023 Update

  Amazon Prime Video is going to charge a premium to not have ads in streaming content, and Bryan and Jeff have plenty to say about that. They also share their thoughts on ever-shorter TV series now that all six episodes...

  
• 12.16.2023

  GM’s CarFail, tvOS 17.2, Slow Horses, Supporting Authors

  Bryan and Jeff dissect GM’s latest excuse for dropping CarPlay and Android Auto. They also look at some shows they’re enjoying now, like Slow Horses season 3 on Apple TV+, talk about getting up to speed for the new Doctor...

  
• 12.02.2023

  Could Apple Bring Credit Card Biz In-House, Name Drop Security Debacle

  Apple and Goldman Sachs are parting ways, so Bryan and Jeff look at what happened and what Apple may do next to keep Apple Card alive. They also have some thoughts on the irresponsible way law enforcement agencies and some...

  
• 11.26.2023

  Cool Artists, Monarch, and Passkeys

  Bryan and Jeff look at some street-style artists they like, and share their thoughts on Monarch Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+. Jeff also gives Bryan a high-level look at passkeys. Sources referenced in this episode: Review the show on...

  
• 11.18.2023

  Apple’s AI Plans, Elon’s Ad X-odus, Bodies on Netflix

  Bryan and Jeff share their take on what Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring predicts Apple may have in store for AI, plus they look at the companies pulling ads from X this week. They also dive into Netflix’s Bodies series...

  
• 11.10.2023

  Aliro Smartlock Standard and Smarthome Tech, Accidental Intelligence Reveal

  Bryan and Jeff look at the new Aliro smartlock protocol standard, and discuss what happens when non-standards products like MyQ stop supporting home automation services. They also talk about Bryan’s sci-fi mystery book, Accidental Intelligence, which is available for preorder...

  
• 10.27.2023

  Apple Scary Fast Predictions

  Bryan and Jeff offer up their predictions on what to expect at Apple’s “Scary Fast” media event on Monday, October 30. More importantly, they discuss the Oxford comma’s value with a little Bauhaus thrown in, too. SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs – Go to LinkedIn.com/ACM and...

  
• 10.20.2023

  Which Apple Pencil For You, and Aliens Should Be ALIEN

  Now that the Apple Pencil with USB-C is out, Jeff explains how to choose the right model for your needs. Bryan explores the idea of aliens in sci-fi shows and movies actually seeming alien. Sources referenced in this episode: Review...

  
• 10.13.2023

  Threads and the Feels, Plus Medications in Apple’s Health

  Bryan and Jeff dive into the state of social media and where Threads and Bluesky fit in. They also take a look at the medication tracking feature in the iPhone’s Health app, and talk a little about Bryan’s upcoming book...

  
• 10.05.2023

  Autocorrect in iOS 17 Is Great, Widgets in macOS Sonoma

  Bryan is a big fan of iOS 17’s autocorrect improvements, and Jeff found a new favorite local brewery. They also explore widgets in macOS Sonoma, or as Jeff calls it, “macOS Wine Country.” Sources referenced in this episode: Review the...

  
• 02.12.2023

  Adapting Books for TV, Underestimating Apple’s AI Plans

  Bryan has been reading the Slow Horses book series, and Jeff wants to know if he should start reading them. That takes sends them into a discussion about adapting books and video games into TV shows and movies with a...

  
• 02.05.2023

  Jeff’s New Mac Adventures and Printer Advice

  Bryan and Jeff talk about Jeff’s experience setting up his new M2 Pro MacBook Pro. They look at what went smoothly, where he had problems, and the untimely demise of his Wacom graphics tablet. They also use friend of the...

  
• 01.28.2023

  Freeform, M2 Pro and Max Processors, and Listener Feedback

  Bryan and Jeff talk about how Bryan could use Apple’s Freeform app, plus they look at the new M2 Pro and M2 Max processors, and how the M2 Mac mini fits in Apple’s lineup. Listeners say which Mac Jeff should...

  
• 01.21.2023

  Jeff’s M2 MacBook Pro Conundrum, Bryan’s Twitter Rant

  Bryan and Jeff have a little rant about how horribly Twitter is treating third-party app developers. They also have some thoughts on the just announced second generation HomePod, plus Bryan tries to help Jeff choose between the new M2 MacBook...

  
• 01.14.2023

  Twitter Screws Third-party Apps, Chat GPT, and Bryan Should Switch to Mint Mobile

  Bryan and Jeff talk about Twitter’s third-party app API not working, Chat GPT and AI-generated content, and why Bryan needs to switch his cellular phone service to Mint Mobile. They also follow up on a listener comment about weather data...

  
• 01.09.2023

  Treason Episode 1, and the Great Weather App Quest

  Bryan and Jeff share their thoughts on the first episode of Netflix’s Treason starring Charlie Cox, plus Jeff goes on a quest for the best Dark Sky weather app replacement. Sources referenced in this episode: Review the show on Apple...

  
• 12.17.2022

  Spirited, Wednesday, and More TV-Palooza

  Bryan and Jeff both enjoyed Spirited on Apple TV+, and the extra movies Apple is including for free with some of its original content. They’re also fans of Netflix’s Wednesday, and Apple’s Mythic Quest and Slow Horses. Turns out they...

  
• 12.11.2022

  Post.news or Post.not?

  Bryan and Jeff are spending far too much time trying out different social media platforms. This time they debate whether or not Post has a shot at success. They also have some books they’re pretty excited about, and Jeff realized...

  
• 11.19.2022

  Holy Crap Twittergeddon

  Bryan and Jeff try to process Twitter’s crazy fall, and whether or not any true Twitter replacements are available. They also look at what goes wrong when social networks aren’t managed, and the problems with different funding models. SPONSOR: Zocdoc...

  
• 11.12.2022

  The Big Twitter Mess

  Bryan and Jeff are back in the saddle talking about Twitter under Elon Musk’s control. They also take a look at how Digital ID in Apple’s Wallet app is working for Jeff, share a listener tip, and solicit some music...

  
• 10.22.2022

  New iPads, Apple Pencil’s Hover Feature, and More Andor Love

  Bryan has been traveling, so he asks Jeff to fill him in on Apple’s new iPad and iPad Pro announcements and why the Apple Pencil hover feature is so cool. They also nerd out on their shared love of the...

  
• 10.13.2022

  Bryan Becomes a Daredevil Fan and Andor Rocks

  Jeff turned Bryan into a fan of Marvel’s Daredevil TV series, so they have plenty to talk about this week. They also revisit She-Hulk episode 6, Just Jen, and dive into the first three episodes of Star Wars Andor. Yep,...

  
• 09.25.2022

  Hands on with iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 8

  Bryan and Jeff talk about their experiences with Apple’s new iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 8, iPhone cases, and Apple sponsoring the Super Bowl halftime show. Jeff also schools Bryan on Marvel’s Daredevil TV series, and they...

  
• 09.17.2022

  The Fantasy Series Discussion, Plus iPhone 14 and AppleWatch Series 8

  Bryan and Jeff try to talk about the iPhone 14 Pro, AppleWatch Series 8, new AirPods Pro, and iOS 16, but they take a detour to fantasy series and movies. To be fair to these two squirrels, they do get...

  
• 09.12.2022

  Withings Body Comp Scale and Listener Request for iPhone Camera Tips

  Bryan and Jeff take a listener request and share their iPhone camera tips and tricks. They also take a detour to talk about the new Body Comp scale from Withings, plus Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk. Sources referenced in this episode:...

  
• 08.20.2022

  iOS and NFT Security, Plus Streaming Service Costs

  Bryan and Jeff start off with iPhone and iPad-related security warnings, and then hop into what to watch out for with NFT-related scams. They also look at the state of streaming service pricing, what they’re willing to pay for, and...

  
• 08.12.2022

  The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 Finale Review

  Bryan and Jeff take a look at the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1 finale, and throw back to the classic Star Trek episode, “The Balance of Terror.” They also dive in to other Trek shows like DS9, Enterprise,...

  
• 07.31.2022

  The NFT Super Show

  Bryan and Jeff dive super deep into the world of NFTs, why it’s still a wild west world, and what happened with Seth Green’s stolen NFT saga. They also talk about Bored Apes Yacht Club, AIPES, Huxley, Crypto.Chicks, NFT scams,...

  
• 07.17.2022

  iPhone: Lightning vs USB-C, Bryan’s Second Studio Display

  Bryan finally set up his second Apple Studio Display! That means it’s time for a new discussion about working with a dual-display set up. Plus, Jeff tries to trigger Bryan with some thoughts on whether or not the iPhone will...

  
• 06.30.2022

  Apple Tech in For All Mankind, Apple Studio Display Nano-Texture Glass

  Bryan and Jeff talk about the alternate timeline Apple technology showing up in “For All Mankind” season 3. Bryan has been using the new Apple Studio display for a couple months, so they look at what he’s liking and what...

  
• 06.25.2022

  CarPlay and the Future of Autonomous Cars

  Bryan and Jeff have ideas on what’s in store for Apple’s upcoming CarPlay features, the state of autonomous cars, ride sharing, public transportation, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Spoiler: Obi-Wan doesn’t have anything to do with CarPlay. SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs – Go to LinkedIn.com/ACM and get...

  
• 06.17.2022

  WWDC 2022: iPadOS 16 and ToasterFridges

  Bryan and Jeff talk about the evolution of the iPad and iPadOS 16, Microsoft’s Surface fumbles, the ToasterFridge, and Bryan’s complete lack of memory of the original iPad keyboard. SPONSOR: Zocdoc – Zocdoc is a FREE app that shows you...

  
• 06.10.2022

  WWDC 2022: Passkey, M2 MacBook Pro, and More

  Bryan and Jeff do their best to analyze Apple’s WWDC 2022 keynote presentation. They do manage to talk about the event’s production quality, Passkey support, and the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro before realizing they ran out of time. SPONSOR: Kolide...

  
• 06.08.2022

  Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jeff’s Browser Rant

  Bryan and Jeff share their thoughts on the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+, and the racist comments some show watchers have directed at Moses Ingram. Bryan also humor’s Jeff’s frustrated rant on web browsers. Sources referenced in...

  
• 05.26.2022

  Jeff’s Apple ID and HomePod Therapy Session

  Bryan and Jeff talk about the crazy problems with Jeff’s Apple IDs and how he finally resolved them. They also walk through his fix for ongoing HomePod and Siri issues, and toss in an iPhone spam phone call tip. SPONSOR:...

  
• 05.17.2022

  The Star Trek Picard and Strange New Worlds Review Episode

  Bryan and Jeff watched the Star Trek Picard season 2 finale and Star Trek Strange New Worlds first episode and have a lot of thoughts about both. The talk about what they liked, what they didn’t, and drop in lots...

  
• 05.09.2022

  1Password 8 First Impressions

  AgileBits just released 1Password 8 for the Mac, so Bryan and Jeff installed it right away so they could share their first impressions. They take a look at 1Password’s new interface, Universal Access, the revamped Watchman feature, and Jeff’s upgrade...

  
• 05.04.2022

  Bryan and Jeff Analyze Elon Musk’s Twitter Bid

  Bryan and Jeff have plenty to say about the news that Twitter accepted a deal for Elon Musk to buy the social media network for about $44 billion. SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas – Visit HunterDouglas.com/ACM for your free Style Gets Smarter...

  
• 04.22.2022

  The Ebook Reader Battle: Kindle versus iPad

  Jeff picked up an Amazon Kindle, which means Bryan and him have the perfect opportunity for a Kindle versus iPad mini reading experience comparison. They take a look at the displays, reader apps, battery life, the overall reading experience, and...

  
• 04.15.2022

  Hands on with Apple Studio Display

  Bryan just got Apple’s new Studio Display, and Jeff has plenty of questions. They also talk about monitor arms and VESA mounts, webcams, and Wordle because why stay on topic? SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas – Visit HunterDouglas.com/ACM for your free Style...